Modular core making machine

Abstract

An improved core making machine having a frame and capable of producing cores at a molding position within the frame is easily configured to include one or more horizontal core box handling components and/or one or more vertical core box handling components. The machine is readily adaptable to many different foundry needs.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a core making machine having a frame and capable of producing cores at a molding position within the frame, the improvement comprising: first means mounted on the frame adjacent the molding position for applying pressure on a horizontal-type core box in a first direction; and   second means also mounted on the frame adjacent the molding position for applying pressure on a vertical-type core box in a second direction transverse to the first direction.   
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the first means comprises a lifting platen mounted on the frame and capable of lifting a horizontal-type core box and a clamp also mounted on the frame and capable of clamping a cope of a horizontal-type core box. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the second means comprises first and second vertical platens mounted on the frame and movable relative to one another wherein the platens are capable of supporting portions of a vertical-type core box. 
     
     
       4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein one of the platens is rotatable about a pivot axis so as to be capable of ejecting cores formed in a core box portion carried by the one platen and further in combination with means disposed below the one platen for transporting cores. 
     
     
       5. The improvement of claim 4, wherein the transporting means comprises an indexing system for carrying cores between the molding position and a removal station. 
     
     
       6. The improvement of claim 4, wherein the transporting means comprises a conveyor for carrying cores away from the molding position. 
     
     
       7. The improvement of claim 1, in combination with a shuttle system mounted on the frame for transporting a core box toward and away from the molding position. 
     
     
       8. The improvement of claim 1, in combination with means mounted on the frame for removing cores formed in a drag of a core box. 
     
     
       9. The improvement of claim 8, wherein the removing means comprises a vacuum pick-off unit. 
     
     
       10. A core making machine, comprising: a frame;   an extruding head mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from a molding position;   a shuttle capable of moving a core box into the molding position;   a lifting platen carried by the frame for elevating a horizontal-type core box into a molding position; and   first and second vertical platens also carried by the frame and movable relative to one another and capable of supporting portions of a vertical-type core box.   
     
     
       11. The core making machine of claim 10, further including a clamp also mounted on the frame and capable of clamping a cope of a horizontal-type core box. 
     
     
       12. The core making machine of claim 10, wherein one of the vertical platens is rotatable about a pivot axis so as to be capable of ejecting cores formed in a core box portion carried by the one vertical platen and further including means disposed below the one vertical platen for transporting cores. 
     
     
       13. The core making machine of claim 12, wherein the transporting means comprises an indexing system for carrying cores between the molding position and a removal station. 
     
     
       14. The core making machine of claim 12, wherein the transporting means comprises a conveyor for carrying cores away from the molding position. 
     
     
       15. The core making machine of claim 12, in combination with means mounted on the frame for removing cores formed in a drag of a core box. 
     
     
       16. The core making machine of claim 15, wherein the removing means comprises a vacuum pick-off unit. 
     
     
       17. A core making machine for producing cores in a horizontal-type core box or a vertical-type core box, comprising: a frame;   an extruding head carried by the frame and adapted to inject molding sand into a core box;   horizontal core box handling apparatus carried by the frame including a lifting platen for elevating a horizontal-type core box into a molding position and clamps disposed adjacent the frame for clamping a cope of the core box; and   vertical core box handling apparatus carried by the frame including first and second vertical platens movable relative to one another and capable of supporting portions of a vertical-type core box;   wherein the horizontal core box handling apparatus is positioned so that it does not interfere with a vertical-type core box during production of cores therein and wherein the vertical core box handling apparatus is positioned so that it does not interfere with a horizontal-type core box during production of cores therein.   
     
     
       18. The core making machine of claim 17, further including a shuttle system capable of transporting a core box toward the molding position. 
     
     
       19. The core making machine of claim 17, wherein one of the vertical platens is pivotable about an axis between an upright orientation and a downward orientation and further including an actuator coupled to the one vertical platen that controls pivoting of the one vertical platen. 
     
     
       20. The core making machine of claim 19, further including a conveyor disposed below the one vertical platen 
     
     
       21. The core making machine of claim 20, wherein the conveyor is movable between upper and lower positions by a further actuator. 
     
     
       22. The core making machine of claim 19, further including an indexing system disposed below the one vertical platen. 
     
     
       23. The core making machine of claim 17, further including a vacuum pick-off unit disposed adjacent the frame.